Should The Pelicans Try And Orchestrate A Trade For Stanley Johnson?

For the New Orleans Pelicans, many questions, both near and far, seem to have come into fruition during the early stages of this season. Will they make the playoffs? Can they keep DeMarcus Cousins past this season? What will they do in regards to strengthening their small forward position? Trying to find solutions for these types of dilemmas could drive one insane. However, what if I were to tell you that by solving one of these issues it could, in theory, bring solutions to the other two; a domino effect if you will. What if I were to tell you that by addressing the small forward position, it could lead to both a playoff birth for the Pelicans as well as a 2018-19 season consisting of DeMarcus Cousins residing in NOLA? But who could possibly “fit-the-bill” of “Messiah” for the Pelicans? Who could be New Orleans’ “saving grace”? Well folks, one should look no further than the Detroit Pistons third year forward Stanley Johnson.

It is understood that Stanley Johnson has underperformed greatly in the early stages of this season. With a career high in minutes (27.8) Johnson has only improved slightly from last season. Averages of 7.5 PPG, 1.5 APG, 3.7 RPG and 1.2 SPG by no means scream “tremendous season.” However, to be fair, maybe his underwhelming statistics are not entirely his fault.

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The Detroit Pistons are a quagmire of a team. Based on record alone, they seem like a quality organization heading towards their second postseason birth in three years. However, based on statistics, specifically on offense, they’re middle of the pack and, at times, even worse…. much worse. Starting with points-per-game, the Pistons are a tumultuous unit. With an average of 102.1 PPG, they are currently ranked 23rd in the league while simultaneously holding the 24th worst shooting percentage (44.7%).

In regards to three-point shooting, at first glance one would assume Detroit thrives from beyond the arc, ranking seventh in the entire league. Interestingly enough, upon further examination from both the numbers as well as simply watching them play, this statistic is masked in a mirage. Although the team shoots 37.9% from three-point range, as a team they attempt only 28.9  shots from that distance per-game (16th in the NBA). To put it simply, the Pistons are afraid to shoot the three. They do not have the personnel to do so. Currently speaking, the Pistons have three players who shoot four or more threes per contest. Of those three players, two are shooting 40% or better from that range (Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley). They clearly need an improvement on the offensive end.

Now, at this point I’m sure you’re asking yourself “where does Stanley Johnson come into all of this?” Well, frankly he has not provided aid to the team in these departments and, now, finds himself in Stan Van Gundy’s “dog-house.” He lost his starting gig to Reggie Bullock and it does not appear he will be getting it back anytime soon.

So why should the Pelicans be interested in a player who can’t even maintain a starting spot on a struggling Pistons team?

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Well, as I stated in the beginning of the article, maybe his season struggles should not entirely fall on him. Maybe the problem is, in fact, the Pistons. Detroit runs more of a traditional basketball scheme; pick & roll/ low post oriented offense with a hard-nose for the defensive aspect of the game. This scheme is not one that will necessarily showcase Johnson’s worth to a ball-club. With this system, Johnson unfortunately has proven to be a replaceable component. Maybe what Johnson needs is a team that does not run a “traditional” offense; one that possesses players who can stretch the floor from the point guard all the way down to the center.

See where I’m going with this?

The New Orleans Pelicans currently have two of the most offensively versatile big men in the game today in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Together they combine for 15.8 PPG in the paint while shooting over 35% from downtown. The way these two bigs can stretch the floor can be matched by no other. Add in the second best three-point shooter (percentage-wise) in the NBA in E’Twaun Moore (47%) and the offensive talent that is Jrue Holiday and you have four great scoring partners to run alongside with. Not to mention the plethora of other shooters the team has including Darius Miller, Jameer Nelson and Ian Clark to name a few.

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If Johnson were to somehow find his way to New Orleans he would find himself in a much more comfortable position. Instead of being on a team with no shooters, including himself, Johnson could be on a team filled with shooters, not including himself. At first this doesn’t sound too enticing, but please, hear me out. If Stanley Johnson found himself surrounded by floor spacing shooters it should, in theory, improve his game offensively. The forward has never been a “knock-down” shooter. Not in college and, obviously, not in the pros. Johnson’s strong-suit offensively is attacking the basket. A team that can stretch the floor will probably see more lax defense on the interior. With this, Stanley could thrive.

With a Johnson trade, many benefits could come about for New Orleans. For starters, the team would add a talented/young player to a position in much need of depth. At 21-years of age Johnson is still under his rookie contract until the end of the 2019-20 season, so there would be no financial burden in bringing him into NOLA. Also, although he has struggled mightily on offense this season, defensively he has proven to be more than capable to hold his own. And, for a team that currently ranks 25th in defensive rating, adding a guy like Johnson would only help their play. We’re talking about a guy who’s ceiling has been said to be as high as a Jimmy Butler or Kawhi Leonard. If a player of that caliber is potentially on the market, why wouldn’t someone pounce at the opportunity?

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However, a reciprocal question could also be “if a team has a player of potentially that caliber, why trade him?” Well, it appears as though coach Van Gundy has grown impatient with his third-year forward. Fighting for a playoff spot and, potentially his job if he finds himself at home come April, the pressure may be on Van Gundy to act. Rash or not, he may feel the need to make a move.

Out of everyone on the roster it appears as though Johnson is the most enticing trade asset. While the Pistons currently hold the fifth seed in the East, they are far from a “perfect” team. If they were to look to improve a certain aspect to their game, it should be the long ball. If the Pelicans can offer Detroit a package of, say, Darius Miller and a future second round pick, the Pistons may be hard pressed to consider.

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With the theoretical addition of Johnson to New Orleans, their future outlook would look  brighter than it currently does which could help the Pelicans entice Cousins to re-up with the organization. Despite his struggles Stanley Johnson is still only 21-years old. He was the eighth pick in the completely stacked 2015 NBA draft. If the Pelicans can somehow manage to deal for the 6-7 forward, it should improve their struggling defense which, again, SHOULD improve their chances of reaching the postseason. A playoff appearance might be all NOLA needs to bring Boogie back to the “Big-Easy.” With this, maybe all New Orleans really needs is Stanley Johnson. And, with his recent struggles, maybe all Stanley Johnson really needs is New Orleans.